Hatake Sakumo opened his eyes, the hesitation in them slowly dissipating.
No matter how much he found it hard to believe, the Konoha higher-ups had indeed attempted to kill Shinma.
He thought the difference between him and the village leadership was one of policy and direction; he never expected it to be a life-and-death struggle.
Pakkun continued: "The deaths of Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka might have been Fox's doing. Should we question Fox, or use this chance to do something else? Make a decision quickly."
Hatake Sakumo stood up and said:
"Regarding the attempt on Shinma's life, I ultimately had Gekkō Sō save him.
I knew Shinma was being sent to his death. Through Gekkō Sō's appearance, the village higher-ups know that I know Shinma was being sent to his death.
It's an unspoken understanding, just not stated outright.
At this point, it's no longer up to me.
If I continue to compromise, the people around me – Gekkō Sō, Yamashiro-dera, Hayama, Shinma, and even Kakashi and Namikaze Minato – might all be framed and harmed by the village leadership because of it.
My strength, the threat I pose to the village leadership, leaves me no other choice.
Sooner or later, I will challenge Konoha's current order.
If I retreat, Shinma and the others will die sooner or later.
If I advance, there is still a sliver of hope.
There's no need to dwell on who killed Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka. Tomorrow, I will go to the Hokage Building and take on Konoha's most dangerous mission, one that no one else can accomplish.
Advancing as a form of retreat, no need to explain anything to the village."
In the underground training room of the Tsurugetsu Izakaya, Yōkō waited all night.
He didn't receive the contract chakra notification from the ninken Pakkun, which surprised him.
Just how did Hatake Sakumo plan to respond?
If Hatake Sakumo questioned whether he was the one who killed Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka, he had prepared a line of reasoning sufficient to handle him.
Who could suspect it was him? Who could prove it was him? Even the ANBU couldn't find the culprit; could Hatake Sakumo manage it?
He waited a long while more, but still no contract chakra from Pakkun arrived.
The next day, Yōkō quickly used several Body Flicker Techniques to reach the Hokage Building.
Entering the Hokage's office, Yōkō found Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, and Orochimaru inside.
Why was he summoned? There was no killing intent emanating from these people, was there?
They couldn't have discovered he was the murderer, could they?
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Fox was the first ANBU to investigate Kumogakure's Perfect Jinchūriki. Let's hear Fox's thoughts."
Yōkō was somewhat confused. Wasn't the recent major event the killings of Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka? Why were they talking about the Perfect Jinchūriki again?
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Hatake Sakumo just came to the Hokage's office, stating he wants to take a team to the Land of Lightning to investigate intelligence on Kumogakure's Perfect Jinchūriki, and requested my approval.
I didn't refuse, only said we should first study the existing intelligence.
Fox, you were the first to obtain the intelligence from the Iwa-nin. Who do you think is stronger, Hatake Sakumo or Ryūjin?"
Yōkō suddenly understood. Hatake Sakumo was preparing to take the initiative, to win higher prestige for himself and accumulate a more dazzling mission record.
What could be more dazzling than suppressing a Jinchūriki?
Yōkō thought to himself, if he said Hatake Sakumo was far stronger than the Jinchūriki, then Hatake Sakumo wouldn't get the chance to go.
If he said the Jinchūriki was stronger than Hatake Sakumo, putting Hatake Sakumo in mortal danger, the Sandaime would wish nothing more than to send Hatake Sakumo off within half an hour.
After slightly weighing his words, Yōkō said:
"Hokage-sama, Hatake Sakumo's sword skills are very strong.
If the Jinchūriki remain in their standard form, they are no match for Hatake Sakumo.
However, Hatake Sakumo lacks the means to deal with enemies of super-large size. If the Jinchūriki rampages, transforming into a natural disaster-like giant beast, I believe Hatake Sakumo would be helpless."
The Hokage nodded; this assessment was very fair. He turned and asked: "Orochimaru, what are your thoughts?"
Yōkō was puzzled again. Why was Orochimaru participating in these high-level discussions?
Orochimaru said, "What is there to fear? Kumogakure has two Jinchūriki. Hatake Sakumo takes one, I take the other. Let's see who achieves more significant results. Let him go, what does it matter."
This time Yōkō understood. Orochimaru seemed to be positioning Hatake Sakumo as a competitor?
It dawned on him. Was Orochimaru beginning his bid for the Yondaime Hokage position?
Before Namikaze Minato grew up, Orochimaru, as Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple, one of the Sannin, and deputy commander in several wars, was the hottest candidate for Yondaime Hokage.
Facing the aggressive Hatake Sakumo, the higher-ups chose to push Orochimaru forward.
Yōkō glanced at Danzo; Danzo didn't seem to oppose it either.
After a moment's thought, Yōkō believed the reason Danzo didn't oppose it was because Orochimaru had dirty hands, and Danzo was confident he could pull Orochimaru down at any time.
The Sandaime Hokage, after thinking, said:
"I will permit Hatake Sakumo to go investigate Kumogakure's Perfect Jinchūriki, Ryūjin.
Have Fox accompany Hatake Sakumo under the pretext of recording intelligence, to ensure the accuracy of the information.
If Hatake Sakumo can't investigate anything, that's naturally fine.
If he does investigate something, Orochimaru, you can use the intelligence gathered by Hatake Sakumo to deal with Kumogakure's other Jinchūriki, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki B."
Orochimaru was somewhat displeased. Why should he have to follow behind Hatake Sakumo and pick up the scraps? He didn't think he was inferior to Hatake Sakumo.
Hearing that he was to accompany Hatake Sakumo, Yōkō knew the higher-ups completely didn't suspect any connection between him and Hatake Sakumo; he was well hidden.
Danzo asked: "What about the deaths of Sumi and Yutaka? Are we just letting it go? Couldn't this be a tactic by Hatake Sakumo to divert attention?"
Yōkō felt slightly uneasy inside. Were they going to continue investigating? And investigate him?
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Although Hatake Sakumo's various ideas are incompatible with ours, I believe in his character. He wouldn't kill Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka out of personal resentment."
Danzo said, "Yesterday, you said the assassin of Sumi and Yutaka definitely couldn't be Tsunade. Today you say it's not Hatake Sakumo. It can't be the Uchiha clan, can it?
Uchiha Kane is a compromising and weak dove within the Uchiha clan. He doesn't have the courage to rebel against Konoha."
Hearing Danzo belittle Uchiha Kane like this, even Yōkō felt Uchiha Kane had no prestige.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took large puffs from his pipe. Before long, he alone had filled the entire office with smoke.
Orochimaru said: "Smoke less. Tsunade says every time she comes to your office, she goes back smelling of smoke and has to change clothes."
During this period, the one among the Sannin who cared most about the Sandaime was actually Orochimaru.
There was a reason the Sandaime, before his death, recalled the good aspects of Orochimaru.
"Can't quit, and can't do without it. Rely on this pipe daily to relieve stress." Sarutobi Hiruzen said:
"The deaths of Shimura Sumi and Sarutobi Yutaka will continue to be investigated.
However, I believe there's no need to waste time on Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo.
Tsunade deeply loves the village her grandfather founded at heart; she wouldn't kill her fellow villagers.
Hatake Sakumo also has his own principles; he wouldn't do such a thing.
The person who did this must be an extremely despicable careerist, a vile insect lurking in the darkness, vainly attempting to stir up internal strife in Konoha."
Yōkō thought to himself, That's too much. How can you insult people? Just because you're the Hokage, you can insult people?
And you insult me to my face?
***
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(End of Chapter)